Druid Fairy

Chapter 148 The Elder of Miscellaneous Services

Zhang Ao finally learned that Li Mengze had submitted the formula for the "Qingyuan Pill" to the academy.

"Mengze, are you crazy?"

His face was full of disbelief. "This is the pill formula you improved yourself, your unique skill. You're just going to hand it over to someone else like that? How many spirit stones will you lose? Do you know how much smoother your cultivation path would be with these spirit stones?"

He truly felt sorry for his friend and also felt somewhat guilty. If it weren't for him, why would Li Mengze have offered the Qingyuan Pill formula to the academy?
Seeing his friend's "heartbroken" expression, as if he had lost hundreds of spirit stones, Li Mengze couldn't help but chuckle.

He patted Zhang Ao on the shoulder, gesturing for him to sit down.

"This 'Qingyuan Pill' is good, but things have gotten so out of control that it's beyond my control now. For someone like Huang Teng, it's a piece of fat meat that he thinks he can take a bite out of."

He paused, then continued, "Think about it, if I keep the pill formula in my hands, Huang Teng will be like a mosquito that smells blood, trying every means to harass me, and might even use more despicable methods. I can protect myself in the academy now, but what about my family? I can't be on guard against such a villain all the time."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Ao frowned.

"By presenting the elixir formula to the academy, I gained contribution points, while this hot potato became the academy's possession. It was actually a win-win situation."

Li Mengze's lips curled into a smile. "No matter how bold Huang Teng is, he wouldn't dare to openly oppose the entire academy. If he makes a move, it will affect the academy's interests. Tell me, in that case, will the academy's fist be stronger, or will the Huang family's martial arts disciples be faster? Besides, I deliberately concealed the fact that I transferred the pill formula to the academy..."

"Kill with a borrowed knife!"

Zhang Ao suddenly realized, and his gaze towards Li Mengze instantly changed from "pity" to "admiration." "You, Li Mengze, you're really cunning!"
"These are just petty tricks to protect oneself."

Li Mengze laughed and said, "We are friends, and I will not forget your grudge. But a gentleman takes revenge in a timely manner. Only when we become strong enough can we get back all the humiliation we once suffered, with interest."

Zhang Ao nodded heavily, thinking to himself, "I am not yet strong enough; when I am strong enough, things will change!"
…………

The Dan Hall of the Academy.

The alchemy hall began refining the "Qingyuan Pill".

But new problems also arose.

The difficulty of refining "Qingyuan Dan" is far greater than imagined.

In particular, the crucial step of "water and fire complementing each other, ice and fire in the same furnace" requires an extremely high level of spiritual awareness and control over the heat from the alchemist.

Within the Pill Hall, only a handful of people are capable of consistently refining finished products with three or more pill patterns.

Liu Bai, the head of the Dan Hall, is a true "Dan fanatic".

He was over seventy years old and had reached the late stage of Qi Refining. He had devoted his life to alchemy and was one of the most respected teachers in the academy.

Professor Liu was a humble and rigorous scholar who never treated his students differently based on their social status.

In his eyes, there are only two kinds of people: those who can refine pills and those who cannot.

When he obtained the formula for "Qingyuan Dan", he was immediately captivated by its exquisite pharmacological balance and bold concept.

"Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful!"

He studied the prescription over and over for several days, sometimes clapping his hands in admiration, sometimes frowning deeply. He didn't sleep for several days because of the problem of neutralizing the effects of one of the medicines.

"No, I always feel that the step of 'water and fire complementing each other' is missing a little bit, and the success rate of pill formation can never be stabilized above 80%."

That day, despite having huge dark circles under his eyes, Old Liu actually came to Li Mengze's courtyard in person.

This alarmed the entire Dan Hall.

"My God, Old Liu actually came to see Li Mengze in person!"

"Am I seeing things? That's Elder Liu, whom even the headmaster treats with deference!"

Amidst the awe-inspiring gazes of his disciples, Elder Liu remained unconcerned and walked straight to Li Mengze, who was tending to the herbs.

"Young friend Mengze, there is something I don't understand. I hope you will kindly enlighten me."

Li Mengze was flattered and quickly stood up to return the greeting: "Elder Liu, you flatter me. Please speak freely."

His "insight into good and evil" was clear. The old man in front of him emanated an incomparably pure, transparent halo, like crystal, which was the ultimate love and focus on alchemy, without any impurities.

This instantly filled him with respect.

"It's about this 'Qingyuan Pill'." Old Liu didn't stand on ceremony and explained his confusion one by one.

Li Mengze listened quietly.

Master Liu was highly skilled in alchemy, but at the most crucial step, he fell into the mindset of traditional alchemy.

He thought for a moment and explained in the simplest way: "Old Liu, you see, water and fire seem to be mutually exclusive, but in reality, they can also complement each other. When you were combining the medicinal power, you were always thinking about how to 'suppress' the dryness of the Firefly Flower, but you forgot that you could also use the coldness of the Ice Crystal Grass to 'guide' it. Simply suppressing it will only cause it to rebound. As the saying goes, it's better to guide than to block..."

He shared his insights from his alchemy days, including his understanding of "the transformation of Yin and Yang, and the balance of strength and gentleness," without reservation.

He knew that for a true alchemy enthusiast like Elder Liu, no amount of flowery language could compare to the sincerity of this pure exchange on alchemy.

Old Liu listened with rapt attention, nodding occasionally, lost in thought at times, and his eyes flashed with a sudden realization.

"So that's how it is! Among three people walking together, there must be one who can teach me! The ancients were right!"

He looked at Li Mengze with admiration in his eyes, "Young friend Mengze, I admire your insight! If you ever need anything in the future, just come to me. As long as it's within my power, I will never refuse!"

From then on, Liu regarded Li Mengze as a "friend despite the age difference," and often asked him to discuss alchemy together. The two were both teacher and friend, and their relationship grew closer day by day.

Li Mengze knew that his "sincerity" had won him, and the Li family, a very important ally within the state academy.

Under the guidance of this alchemy master, his understanding of alchemy deepened, and his skills improved by leaps and bounds.

…………

Inside Baicaotang, the place was still bustling with noise.

Looking at the scene before him, Manager Qian grinned from ear to ear, walked with a swagger, stood ramrod straight, and greeted everyone with a smile.

"Manager Qian! Do you still have any 'Qingyuan Pills' in stock today?" A regular customer squeezed to the counter and asked eagerly.

"That's all, that's all!" Manager Qian waved his hands repeatedly, his face full of smiles. "Today's portions have already been sold out. Please come back early tomorrow!"

Just then, a discordant shout shattered the lively atmosphere.

"Get out of the way! Everyone, get out of the way!"

Seven or eight burly men with menacing faces pushed their way through the crowd and entered. Leading them was the senior disciple of the Huishan Martial Arts School, a man with a scar on his face.

The domineering aura emanating from them caused the surrounding cultivators to instinctively give way.

Scarface walked up to the counter and slammed his hand heavily on the surface, making the abacus on it jump.

"You surnamed Qian! You've got some nerve!?"

Looking at the menacing group, Manager Qian realized that in the past, he would have been terrified and his legs would have gone weak.

But now, he has the entire state academy standing behind him.

Far from being afraid, he leisurely wiped the counter with a rag, a hint of mockery on his face.

"Sir, I, Old Qian, don't understand what you're saying. My shop is open for business, and I'm honest with everyone, young and old. I'm very bold in this legitimate business!"

Scarface was stunned for a moment upon hearing this, then flew into a rage: "Bullshit! Stop pretending with me! I'm telling you right now, you're not allowed to sell these pills! Otherwise, don't blame us brothers for tearing down your lousy shop!"

After he finished speaking, the burly men behind him stepped forward in unison, rubbing their knuckles together and making cracking noises, staring at Manager Qian with hostile eyes.

Manager Qian, however, remained completely unfazed. He even chuckled and shook his head.

"Gentlemen, I advise you to think carefully before you take action. If a single tile or a piece of paint is missing from my shop, you might not be able to afford the consequences when you return to your martial arts school."

His confident demeanor made Scarface and his companions uneasy.

'This old bastard, how come he's so bold today?'

But things have come to this point, the arrow is already on the bowstring, how can we not release it?

"Don't you dare try to scare me!"

Scarface roared, his face fierce but his voice trembling with fear, "I'll tear down this lousy shop of yours today! I want to see who dares to mess with the Huang family! Smash it!"

At his command, the burly men yelled and charged toward the nearest herb shelf.

However, before their fists could land, an invisible yet terrifying pressure, as heavy as a mountain, suddenly descended!

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

The burly men felt their knees buckle and uncontrollably fell to their knees, their knees creating several shallow dents in the hard bluestone slab.

Their faces were deathly pale, and they were trembling like leaves, as if they were being crushed by an invisible mountain, unable to move even a finger.

Scarface was so overwhelmed by the pressure that he was forced to the ground, his face pressed against the cold floor, unable to even lift his head.

"Who...who!?" He was terrified, his voice trembling.

"The Huang family, what a powerful presence they have."

A deep, calm voice rang in everyone's ears. A hunchbacked old man in gray servant's clothes, who had been sweeping in a corner, had put down his broom and slowly turned around.

He looked ordinary, but his old eyes gleamed with a sharp light that made people afraid to look directly at him.

He made no extra movements, simply flicking his sleeves casually.

An irresistible force came, and the scarred man and his companions were swept up by this force like rolling gourds, and slammed out of the gate of Baicaotang, piling up like Arhats on the long street.

"Go back and tell Huang Teng."

The old man's voice rang out again, "The things of the academy are not for him to touch. If there's a next time, it won't be as simple as it is now."

After saying that, he picked up the broom again and slowly began to sweep the floor, as if the master who had just suppressed several martial arts experts with a mere gesture was just an illusion for everyone.

Scarface and his men scrambled to their feet, not daring to look at Baicaotang again, and fled in a panic.

Shopkeeper Qian felt triumphant and relaxed. He walked up to the old man sweeping the floor and bowed respectfully.

"Thank you, elder, for taking the initiative."

The old man didn't even look up, and simply said, "Just focus on your business, don't worry about anything else."

…………

The Huang residence, study.

"Trash! A bunch of trash!"

Huang Teng, enraged by the exaggerated tales told by Scarface and his companions, kicked over the rosewood chair next to him.

"An elder of the academy? How is that possible!?"

He roared in disbelief, "That woman Su Qingxue, she dares to break ties with the Huang family for the sake of a disciple?!"

"No...no..." Scarface stammered, "It was...an old man sweeping the floor..."

"The one sweeping?"

Huang Teng was even more furious. "You grown men can't even beat an old man who sweeps the floor! You've completely disgraced the Huang family!"

"Young master, you have no idea!"

Scarface looked miserable. "That old man is incredibly strange! He just waved his sleeve, and we were like we'd been haunted; our limbs wouldn't obey us! He's definitely a hidden master in the academy!"

Huang Teng's face turned pale and then red, his anger replaced by a chilling coldness.

That little bastard Li Mengze tricked him.

He would rather give away the golden formula to the academy for free, using the academy's power to suppress him, than share a piece of the pie with Huang Teng.

suddenly.

"You unfilial son! What nonsense are you spouting now!"

The person who arrived was Huang Teng's father, Huang Dekun, whose face was ashen.

"father!"

Upon seeing his father, Huang Teng's arrogance immediately subsided by a third, but he still said defiantly, "It's all because of that little bastard from the Li family! He..."

"shut up!"

Huang Dekun shouted angrily, then strode forward and slapped Huang Teng across the face without any mercy.

"Snapped!"

A crisp sound rang out, particularly jarring in the quiet study.

Huang Teng covered his burning cheek, completely stunned.

From childhood to adulthood, his father never laid a finger on him.

"Do you know who you have offended today?" Huang Dekun's voice trembled slightly, not from anger, but from a trace of fear.

"No... isn't he just an elder from the academy?" Huang Teng said, puzzled. He certainly wouldn't treat the academy's visitor as a janitor.

Huang Dekun was so angry he almost laughed. He pointed at his son's nose, his voice shrill:

"Do you really think that's just an elder of the academy? Do you even know his name? His name is Qingsong! He's been the guardian of the academy for hundreds of years! Even the headmaster has to respectfully address him as 'Senior Qingsong'!"

"protector?"

Huang Teng murmured, "This...how is this possible..."

"How could it be impossible!" Huang Dekun's voice carried a hint of despair.

"Do you think the Huang family has been able to stand firm in the prefecture because of your petty cleverness? It's because of reverence! It's reverence for those truly untouchable beings! Senior Qingsong usually plays around in the world, sweeping floors and guarding gates, but that's just part of his cultivation. Today, you've offended him, which is tantamount to provoking the Grand Duke Jupiter! If he hadn't shown mercy, do you think those few good-for-nothings you sent would have returned alive?!"

A bone-chilling cold instantly shot from the soles of Huang Teng's feet to the top of his head.

He slumped into the chair, his face deathly pale and his body ice cold.

He finally understood.

I understand why Li Mengze has such confidence.

"That kid is ruthless..."

Huang Teng muttered to himself, utterly dejected, all arrogance gone, replaced by apprehension and fear.

…………

When Li Mengze learned that the Huang family had backed down, the tension that had been building for days finally eased.

Even the most composed person will find this game extremely mentally taxing.

These days, he's been holding on tightly, keeping a perfect facade in front of his teachers and appearing calm and collected in front of his friends. He even has to spare some time to comfort his fellow disciples in the Dantang sect who have been implicated because of him.

Now that the dust has settled, I feel deeply exhausted.

"It's finally over."

Li Mengze returned to his courtyard, too lazy to even change his clothes, and collapsed onto the bed.

He closed his eyes, and his consciousness, like a weary bird returning to its nest, sank into that tranquil and warm emerald green world.

In the emerald dreamland, the white jade lotus in the heart of the lake is quietly blooming.

The point of light representing Li Mengze's soul appeared somewhat dim at this moment. It drifted leisurely to the center of the lake and fell into the embrace of the lotus platform.

A more vast and gentle consciousness descended quietly like moonlight, gently enveloping the small green light. It spoke no words, yet conveyed a sense of peace and warmth.

The frequency of the flashing light gradually slowed down, and the disturbance originating from the outside world was gradually soothed and healed.

Li Pingcan, who was in the Lingshan Cave, had already seen his son's experiences over the past few days through the Emerald Dream.

I felt both relieved and heartbroken.

To my delight, my son has truly surpassed his father. He not only knows how to conceal his talents but also how to leverage his strengths. Faced with Huang Teng's relentless pressure, he responded with composure and experience, even turning the tables on Huang Teng by using the academy to completely extinguish Huang Teng's hopes.

This level of mental fortitude and skill is something that even many seasoned veterans who have spent years in the cultivation world might not be able to match.

What's heartbreaking is the pressure the son is under in this struggle.

"At such a young age, he has to face the wickedness of people's hearts all by himself."

Li Pingcan sighed inwardly, and then a cold glint flashed deep in his gentle eyes.

"It's time to settle some debts."

Li Pingcan revealed a kind smile, "A gentleman takes revenge even after ten years. I'm not a gentleman, so I don't need to wait that long. Taking revenge is the most interesting thing."

He would naturally not personally deal with the Huang family now, as that would easily expose himself.

But there are some things that don't require you to do them yourself.

The Huang family's business in the prefecture was quite large. The bigger the business, the more leaks there were, naturally.

He only needed to casually reveal some "interesting" information to the Huang family's enemies or to the censors and officials in the prefecture who claimed to be "upright and honest."

Only after thinking about this did Li Pingcan feel completely relieved.

He turned his gaze back to his son in the Emerald Dream, the tiny ball of light now full and bright, sleeping peacefully in the embrace of the Holy Lotus.

"Go to sleep, go to sleep."

"With Dad around, the sky won't fall down."

(End of this chapter)